The Best Ways to Keep Your Resolution

Nearly everyone makes a New Year's resolution. But actually sticking to it? That's practically unheard of. But it doesn't have to be that way. With some easy strategies, you can stick to your big plans for 2011.

1. Keep it simple. You set yourself up for failure by making a plan that's too elaborate. If you create a 13-step process for dieting and then miss six steps, you'll feel like you failed even though you accomplished a lot. Instead, imagine one realistic goal and a very specific way to get started: For example, if your resolution is to lose weight, make one change, such as packing a healthy lunch instead of going out, or replacing your 4 P.M. vending-machine snack with a light yogurt.

__2. Focus on progress.__So you resolved to hit the gym three times a week and are instead going once. Don't beat yourself up; you're still more active than you were before. Rather than quitting, keep it up, since going from one to three workouts per week will actually be a lot easier than getting from zero to one.

3. Stick to it for three weeks. After 21 days, your new routine should start to feel natural, according to behavioral psychologists.